Our “Broken” Army
I meant to post about this earlier but was distracted by all the events this past week. Visiting Mudville Gazette this morning reminded me with Greyhawk’s post below:
I’d rather be a dog faced soldier like I am
Here’s the news article:
3rd ID completes re-up goal in unprecedented time
Camp Victory, Iraq, Thursday, 20 March 2008
“The 3rd Infantry Division, headquartered at Fort Stewart, Ga., completed its fiscal year 2008 retention goal in less than six months, which most view as a phenomenal act.
This is unprecedented according to the division’s retention sergeant major. “I’ve been in this career field for 16 years, and I’ve never known of a division to meet its goal in such a short time,” said Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Raibon, the 3rd Infantry Division Retention sergeant major….”
(Click the article title above to read the rest.)
I have a couple of adopted 3rd ID soldiers in in the sandbox right now and Devon has several friends deployed. They keep doing us all proud!
What you’ll never hear on the news:
Major General Lynch: OIF Anniversary Op/Ed
“…The advantage of the Division’s multiple deployments to Iraq is that progress is evident. Unlike the Iraqis of 2003 who lived in fear, the will the Iraqis of 2008 has turned against the insurgency and toward freedom. Iraqi Security Forces share the cost of defending their country, currently suffering casualties at a rate three times that of Coalition Forces – Iraqis are truly fighting for their country.
Our Soldiers are working at the local level – building schools, health clinics and governance centers. Sectarian divides have gone away, and Sunnis and Shiites are working together to seek legitimacy at the most grass roots level. The Division’s current campaign plan focuses completely on capacity building. A year ago I spent my time on large combat outposts planning major kinetic operations – operations requiring lethal force as the main effort – now I walk through the local markets, visit fish farms, and spend my time eating with and engaging the Iraqi people….”
Greyhawk also has a couple of good videos at his post and some history of the 3rd ID. Be sure to read it.
Of course, to those who do not understand the Warrior Ethos and wish for an American defeat (~ again), this is a “broken” Army.
The Hell you say!!
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